Gingrich is up from 7 percent in late October, and the poll finds that his lead "has the potential to grow," the paper writes.

Fully 43 percent of likely caucus-goers pick as their first or second choice in the Jan. 3rd caucuses.

Romney's slide in the polls comes amid criticism from all sides of his record of flip-flopping. The former Massachusetts governor has made a show of not actively contending the caucuses, but recently he's been forced to devote more resources to the state.

Ron Paul is the most organized candidate in the state, as reflected by his strong poll showing. Unlike Romney, he has momentum in the polls — suggesting that if Gingrich's lead collapses, he stands a strong chance of winning the caucuses.

The poll was conducted from Sunday to Wednesday, before Herman Cain suspended his presidential campaign.